The Express: Leave with no deal Theresa! Top Brexit groups urge May to abandon ‘shoddy’ Brexit deal

Britain’s “best and only chance” of reaping the rewards of quitting the European Union is to leave without a deal, 17 leading Brexit groups have told Theresa May.

Trading on international rules after March 29 instead of signing off the divorce deal on offer from Brussels would put an end to the uncertainty blighting the country and stop £39 billion being needlessly given away, the alliance said. In an open letter to the Prime Minister and every MP, cross-party campaigns including Leave Means Leave, Labour Leave and Economists for Free Trade, said the withdrawal agreement on offer was a “shoddy political compromise”. They insisted leaving on world trade rules would allow the UK to take back control of laws, borders and trade.

“Britain will receive a vast and immediate Brexit dividend, starting with the unnecessary £39 billion ‘divorce’ payment and the saving of further annual contributions,” the letter states.

“This dividend will improve family living standards through growth in GDP, lower food and clothing prices, the benefits of deregulation and new export markets in the rapidly growing economies outside the EU.

“It will also fund investment in our defence forces, NHS, education and police, and in our industrial policy,” they wrote.